Previewing Potential Free-Agent Targets for Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers will be looking forward to the end of the 2014 season, as they currently hold the worst record in baseball.

Injuries have plagued the club since before the start of the campaign, losing Derek Holland until Sept. 2 with knee surgery. Shoulder surgery has kept Jurickson Profar out since spring training, and Texas has been without Prince Fielder, Kevin Kouzmanoff and Martin Perez since May.

Several others found themselves on the disabled list, forcing the Rangers to become the first team to ever use at least 61 players. They are also the first to use at least 38 pitchers.

That gives general manager Jon Daniels plenty to do this offseason when free agency opens up.

Many, if not all, of those currently on the DL should be back in Arlington in 2015. But the lack of organizational depth became more obvious as the losses continued to pile up. The aforementioned injuries are much to blame, but Daniels’ previous transactions contributed to the lack of MLB-ready talent.

The only problem this winter is the market in which Daniels has to work with. Most of the top targets will demand top dollar or are reaching the pinnacle of their careers. That is most certainly true for the starting pitchers who could become available this November, an area the Rangers must strengthen for next year’s campaign.

Plus, it is unknown what sort of budget the team will be working with, although that hasn’t seemed to stop Daniels in the past.

The Rangers would be reaching for the stars if they chased the candidates that fill this slideshow. The front office will be doing what it can to get this team back into playoff contention.

Be sure to note any players you think the club should go after in the comments section.

LHP Jon Lester

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Season Stats with Red Sox, Athletics

30 GS, 15-10, 205.2 IP, 2.45 ERA, 1.104 WHIP, 206 SO, 46 BB

Overview

The Rangers could be in the market for another southpaw with no timetables set for Martin Perez and Matt Harrison.

Jon Lester is the best left-handed starter available and is having a career year in 2014. He is a combined 15-10 pitching for the Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics, posting a 2.45 ERA and just 46 walks in 30 starts.

Both his ERA and walk total are the lowest numbers of his nine-year spell in the big leagues.

Not only has Lester been effective during the regular season, but he has been dominant in the playoffs. He holds a 2.11 ERA in 11 postseason starts, including a 3-0 record and 0.43 ERA in the World Series. He would be a huge pickup for a team that has struggled on the mound in October.

Of course, Texas has to reach the playoffs first. That makes it more imperative to sign a guy like Lester for 2015. He has at least 15 wins in six of his nine big league seasons and only lost 10 or more games in two of those years.

The 30-year-old isn’t going to be cheap, as he is most likely looking for a long-term contract. And considering the influx of money spent on starting pitchers nowadays, Lester is going to cash in from whoever wants his services.

However, it was said earlier that Daniels isn’t afraid to spend that kind of money. He just hasn’t gone that far for starting pitching yet.

But if he wants this club to be competitive next season, Lester could be the first.

RHP James Shields

Colin E. Braley/Associated Press

Season Stats

32 GS, 14-7, 214.1 IP, 3.15 ERA, 1.185 WHIP, 170 SO, 41 BB

Overview

If Jon Lester proves to be too expensive for the Rangers, then that probably means Max Scherzer would be too.

That would make James Shields the next best available starting option. At 32 years old, the club can expect to get him for around four years and $14 million per year, a steal for a guy who eats up innings and limits damage.

Shields’ rookie season is the only year he did not start at least 30 games, throw at least 200 innings or win at least 10 games.

The California native hasn’t had an ERA higher than 3.52 in the past four years and has never walked more than 68 batters in a single campaign. Shields has a knack for keeping his team in ballgames and the relievers in the bullpen.

He does not have the track record in the postseason that Lester has, but Shields still provides an excellent option in the rotation.

C/1B/DH Victor Martinez

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

Season Stats

141 G, .333/.403/.567, 31 2B, 31 HR, 99 RBI, 83 R, 40 SO, 64 BB

Overview

Victor Martinez will be 36 years old this December, but his bat is as good as it has ever been.

The Venezuela native has already smashed his career high for homers, tallying 31 so far this year. If he didn’t play another game in 2014, he would also set highs in batting average (.333), OBP (.403), walks (64) and OPS (.970).

Martinez has even drawn 26 intentional walks this season, 14 more than his previous high set in 2007.

Obviously, the Rangers have players at first, and Martinez hasn’t caught much since leaving the Boston Red Sox. But Mitch Moreland hasn’t progressed much at the plate and will be coming off of ankle surgery. Prince Fielder will also be returning from season-ending surgery, his to repair a herniated disk in his neck. 

Despite Fielder’s power struggles before the injury, he provided a threat at the dish that couldn’t be matched by anybody except Adrian Beltre. With Martinez, Texas would have a great designated hitter, one of the most dangerous lineups in the big leagues and insurance in case of an injury.

Considering his age, the club could get the veteran at a decent price for around two years. Martinez would be a solid pickup for a team that struggled in all facets on offense this year.

RHP Luke Gregerson

Pat Sullivan/Associated Press

Season Stats

67 G, 5-4, 67 IP, 2.15 ERA, 1.000 WHIP, 58 SO, 15 BB

Overview

The Rangers traded Jason Frasor and Joakim Soria this season, so adding some bullpen depth is a must this offseason.

Enter Luke Gregerson, who is one of the more established relievers in this year’s free-agent class. The 30-year-old holds a career 2.76 ERA and 1.077 WHIP and is effective against both left- and right-handed hitters.

The former San Diego Padre has never finished a season with an ERA higher than 3.24 and pitched no fewer than 55.2 innings.

Neal Cotts is probably not coming back to Arlington, which gives Gregerson a setup role if the Rangers sign him. He has logged 377.2 innings in the final three frames, holding opposing hitters to a .214 batting average and accumulating 153 holds.

The Texas bullpen was atrocious this season, but adding Gregerson would be a great improvement.

RHP Burke Badenhop

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Season Stats

66 G, 0-3, 68 IP, 2.38 ERA, 1.279 WHIP, 37 SO, 19 BB

Overview

Burke Badenhop has been all over the country these past three years, playing for three different teams.

This season with the Red Sox, the 31-year-old has put up some of his best numbers as a big leaguer. His ERA is the lowest it has ever been, allowing just 18 earned runs in 68 innings, and he is one more appearance away from setting a career high in that category.

Badenhop has played in both the American League and the National League in his seven-year stint. Luckily for the Rangers, his best numbers have come during his time with the American League, posting a 2.69 ERA in the AL against a 4.17 ERA in the NL.

Another plus for Texas is the potential price of the former Bowling Green State Falcon. He pitched for the Red Sox in 2014 on a one-year deal worth $2.15 million. The club should be able to get the right-hander for around the same price if it decides to pursue him.

He, along with Gregerson, provides another solid option for a struggling bullpen.

All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and ESPN.com.

You can follow Trey on Twitter @treydwarren